2021 Guide Rendezvous Review
Originally posted June 24, 2021
Royal Gorge RIO was proud to host the first annual Raft Guide Rendezvous! We had almost 70 guides new and returning come out for a day of fun filled information and freebies! Just for coming everyone received an RIO ouch pouch and a killer T-Shirt commemorating the day, and coffee from the Pour House, donuts from Rollers Bakery, and Pizza from none other than Pizza Madness! We had amazing donations too for give aways too. NRS donated straps and throwbags, there were t-shirts given, gift cards from local businesses, Zip line tours, Tough River Gear, and so much more!!
We had a couple lucky winners that received the big prizes for showing us how it it is done trying to surf a not so sticky wave on RG Rios Bad Fish River Rat body boards (we also happen
to have some body boards for sale! :)
We were very fortunate to have an amazing line up of speakers talking about all things Fremont County. Carla Braddy from the Hive Co-working space came to invite folks and talk about the
Hive. It is an amazing place, coolest co-working space in all the land!. ;) (she also donated some punch cards for folks to share)
Stacy Cline from The Museum of Colorado Prisons came and talked about the prison systems here in our county which date back to before Colorado was a state. Sean Reanolds from BLM came and talked about public lands and the importance of educating folks about them.
We were lucky to have Colorado Parks and Wildlife very own Carrie Tucker, Aquatic Biologist, who came and talked fish, and Allen Vitt who came and talked about our state mammal, the Big Horn Sheep, and brought an amazing display of bighorn sheep skulls, one of which died of natural causes and was a true full curl, amazingly huge horns!
Ashlee Sack from FAR (Fremont Area Recreation) was biggin up our world class trail systems that we have for hiking, running, horseback riding and mountain biking here in Fremont county
(know your right of way when your out and about.) Some of these trails happen through dinosaur country and the Paleontology Society came and talked about the rich history and amazing amount of full dinosaur fossils that have been found right here around our little town.
We were lucky to have them bring several samples of fossils from the area to share. Gail Conroy from the Royal Gorge Bridge gave us a great history of the bridge and park, I still can't believe this is all in our back yard.
The one and only Bob Hamel from Arkansas River Outfitters Association used his raft guide voice to talk about all the wonderful things going on with AROA.
Did you know we have an amazing history museum? Well it is quite impressive and I highly recommend you go and visit Brandon Mares who came from the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center to tell us all about it. Go tell him hello and tell him Royal Gorge RIO sent you ;)
We had an amazing listen and conversation with Amber Sanderson from BLM touching on the rich geology we have here. If you get a chance to take a class, tour, or talk to someone who knows geology here in Fremont County you will be fascinated. We are one of only 3 places in the whole world you can see all 3 types of rock from one spot!
Devin from Nature’s Educators came with live birds and gave the most amazing presentation. My favorite was the Red Tail Hawk, but the Ospery was pretty darn cool to. The birds that they have there are all rescued and the particular birds she brought to present with have the inability to survive in the wild, but make excellent educators!
Finally I want to send a big thank you to all of our guest speakers, those who donated stuff for our giveaways, the river rats, and everyone who made this day possible. Royal Gorge RIO a 501(c)3 non profit, thanks you for your support and hope this is one of many fun events we can bring you!
